Buster Keaton's Silent Features, Ranked

Following his three-year period of producing independent short films, Buster Keaton made the jump into silent comedy features following the success found in feature films by fellow comedians Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. For an amazing six year period (1923-1929), Buster Keaton made 12 silent feature films that showcase one of the movie’s greatest artists and, I believe, its greatest comedian. During this period, Keaton made five films that have gained the reputation of masterpieces (“The General,” “Sherlock Jr.,” “Steamboat Bill Jr.,” “The Cameraman,” and “The Navigator”), which is an unprecedented number. It’s only unfortunate that his…
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Following his three-year period of producing independent short films, Buster Keaton made the jump into silent comedy features following the success found in feature films by fellow comedians Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. For an amazing six year period (1923-1929), Buster Keaton made 12 silent feature films that showcase one of the movie’s greatest artists and, I believe, its greatest comedian. During this period, Keaton made five films that have gained the reputation of masterpieces (“The General,” “Sherlock Jr.,” “Steamboat Bill Jr.,” “The Cameraman,” and “The Navigator”), which is an unprecedented number. It’s only unfortunate that his silent feature career is book-ended by his two weakest efforts.

Silent comedy might very well be my favorite thing in the world. I am extremely bias towards the genre and tend to cut a lot of slack for it. As well, Buster Keaton is my favorite among all of the silent comedians. This list is my favorite to least favorite, not necessarily best to worst.

Note: The Saphead isn’t included in this list because it really isn’t a Buster Keaton film. Keaton doesn’t direct and it’s really not a comedy. And it’s bad.